Light guide optical assembly

ABSTRACT

An optical assembly for optical aperture expansion combines facet reflective technology with diffractive technology. At least two diffractive components having opposite optical power (matching) are used, so that chromatic dispersion introduced by the first diffractive component will then be cancelled by the second diffractive component. The two diffractive components are used in combination with a reflective optical component to achieve more efficient aperture expansion (for near eye display), reducing distortions and noise, while also reducing design constraints on the system and individual components, as compared to conventional techniques. The assembly eliminates and/or reduces the need for polarization management, while enabling wider field of view. In addition, embodiments can have reduced nonuniformity, as compared to conventional single technology implementations, since the distortion patterns of the two technologies do not correlate.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to optical assemblies, and inparticular, it concerns optical aperture expansion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—FIG. 7A TO FIG. 7B

Referring to FIG. 7A, there is shown a rough sketch of conventionaloptical aperture expansion using diffractive components in a waveguide.In the current figure, incoming light (image) is vertical from outsidethe page into the page. Coupling-in element 1001 couples the incominglight into lateral expansion element 1002, which expands the lightlaterally (from left to right in the current figure). Then the laterallyexpanded light is coupled into vertical expansion element 1003 whichexpands the light vertically (from top to bottom in the current figure),and couples-out the light to a user (eye of a viewer).

Conventional diffractive elements introduce chromatic dispersion wherelight-rays with different wavelengths diffract at different angles. Toreduce chromatic dispersion narrowband light sources (such as lasers)can be used. A more practical solution is to design the diffractivecomponents to cancel the dispersion of each other.

Referring to FIG. 7B, there is shown a diagram of the FIG. 7Adiffraction directions of light propagating in the angular domain(angular space). Dashed arrows and solid arrows show two differentexemplary wavelengths. The starting angle at area 1005 represents theangle of the light rays as the light rays impinge on the firstdiffractive element (coupling-in element 1001) to be coupled into thelightguide. Area 1007 represents the direction of the light rays aftercoupling in element 1001, Area 1009 after lateral expansion element1002, and the area 1005 also represents the angle of the light raysafter coupling out of the lightguide by vertical expansion element 1003.The direction of the light rays entering the lightguide is equal to thedirection of the light rays coupled out of the lightguide in order tominimize chromatic dispersion. It is apparent that different wavelengthswill have different directions as the different wavelengths of lightpropagate within the lightguide, and will have the same direction whenoutput from the lightguide.

BASIC TECHNOLOGY—FIGS. 1 TO 6

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional prior art folding optics arrangement,wherein the substrate 2 is illuminated by a display source 4. Thedisplay is collimated by a collimating optics 6, e.g., a lens. The lightfrom the display source 4 is coupled into substrate 2 by a firstreflecting surface 8, in such a way that the main ray 11 is parallel tothe substrate plane. A second reflecting surface 12 couples the lightout of the substrate and into the eye of a viewer 14. Despite thecompactness of this configuration, this configuration sufferssignificant drawbacks. In particular, only a very limited FOV can beachieved.

Referring now to FIG. 2 there is shown a side view of an exemplarylight-guide optical element (LOE). To alleviate the above limitations,an array of selectively reflecting surfaces can be used, fabricatedwithin a light-guide optical element (LOE). The first reflecting surface16 is illuminated by a collimated display light ray (beams) 18 emanatingfrom a light source (not shown) located behind the device. Forsimplicity in the current figures, only one light ray is generallydepicted, the incoming light ray 38 (also referred to as the “beam” orthe “incoming ray”). Other rays of incoming light, such as beams 18A and18B may be used to designate edges of the incident pupil, such as a leftand right edge of an incoming light pupil. Generally, wherever an imageis represented herein by a light beam, it should be noted that the beamis a sample beam of the image, which typically is formed by multiplebeams at slightly differing angles each corresponding to a point orpixel of the image. Except where specifically referred to as anextremity of the image, the beams illustrated are typically a centroidof the image.

The reflecting surface 16 reflects the incident light from the sourcesuch that the light is trapped inside a lightguide 20 by total internalreflection. The lightguide 20 is also referred to as a “waveguide”,“planar substrate” and a “light-transmitting substrate.” The lightguide20 includes at least two (major) surfaces parallel to each other, shownin the current figure as a back (major) surface 26 and a front (major)surface 26A. Note that the designation of “front” and “back” with regardto the major surfaces (26, 26A) is for convenience of reference, as thelightguide 20 is normally symmetric (so references to the major surfaces26, 26A can be switched, with the same result). Lightguide 20 isreferred to in the context of this document as a one-dimensional (1D)waveguide, guiding the injected image in only one dimension between onepair of parallel faces (in this case, the major surfaces 26, 26A).

Incoming light ray 38 enters the substrate at a proximal end of thesubstrate (right side of the figure). Light propagates through thelightguide and one or more facets, normally at least a plurality offacets, and typically several facets, toward a distal end of thelightguide (left side of the figure). Light propagates through thelightguide in both an initial direction 28 of propagation, and anotherdirection 30 of propagation.

After several reflections off the surfaces of the substrate 20, thetrapped waves reach an array of selectively reflecting surfaces 22,which couple the light out of the substrate into the eye 24 of a viewer.In alternative configurations, the selectively reflecting surfaces 22are immediately after light ray 18 enters the substrate, without firstreflecting off the surfaces of the substrate 20.

Internal, partially reflecting surfaces, such as selectively reflectingsurfaces 22 are generally referred to in the context of this document as“facets.” In the limit, facets can also be entirely reflecting (100%reflectivity, or a mirror, for example the last facet at the distal endof a substrate), or minimal-reflecting. For augmented realityapplications, the facets are partially reflecting, allowing light fromthe real world to enter via upper surface 26A, traverse the substrateincluding facets, and exit the substrate via lower surface 26 to the eye24 of the viewer. For virtual reality applications, the facets may havealternative reflectivities0, such as the first coupling in mirror having100% reflectivity, as the image light from the real world does not haveto traverse this mirror. The internal partially reflecting surfaces 22generally at least partially traverse the lightguide 20 at an obliqueangle (i.e., neither parallel nor perpendicular) to the direction ofelongation of the lightguide 20.

References to reflectivity are generally with respect to the nominalreflectivity. The nominal reflectivity being the total reflection neededat a specific location in the substrate. For example, if thereflectivity of a facet is referred to as 50%, generally this refers to50% of the nominal reflectivity. In a case where the nominalreflectivity is 10%, then 50% reflectivity results in the reflectivityof the facet being 5%. One skilled in the art will understand the use ofpercentages of reflectivity from context of use. Partial reflection canbe implemented by a variety of techniques, including, but not limited totransmission of a percentage of light, or use of polarization.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a desired reflectance behavior of selectivelyreflecting surfaces. In FIG. 3A, the ray 32 is partially reflected fromfacet 34 and coupled out 38B of the substrate 20. In FIG. 3B, the ray 36is transmitted through the facet 34 without any notable reflection.

FIG. 4A is a detailed sectional view of an array of selectivelyreflective surfaces that couple light into a substrate, and then outinto the eye of a viewer. As can be seen, a ray 38 from the light source4 impinges on the first partially reflective surface. Part of the ray 41continues with the original direction and is coupled out of thesubstrate. The other part of the ray 42 is coupled into the substrate bytotal internal reflection. The trapped ray is gradually coupled out fromthe substrate by the other two partially reflecting surfaces 22 at thepoints 44. The coating characteristics of the first reflecting surface16 should not necessarily be similar to that of the other reflectingsurfaces 22, 46. This coating can be a simpler beam-splitter, eithermetallic, dichroic or hybrid metallic-dichroic. Similarly, in a case ofa non-see-through system, the last reflecting surface 46 can be a simplemirror.

FIG. 4B is a detailed sectional view of an apparatus including an arrayof reflective surfaces wherein the last surface 46 is a total reflectingmirror. The extreme left part of the last reflecting surface 46 cannotbe optically active in such a case, and the marginal rays 48 cannot becoupled out from the substrate. Hence, the output aperture of the devicewill be slightly smaller. However, the optical efficiency can be muchhigher and fabrication process of the LOE can be much simpler.

It is important to note that, unlike the configuration illustrated inFIG. 2, there is a constraint on the orientation of the reflectivesurfaces 16 and 22. In the former configuration all the light is coupledinside the substrate by the reflective surface 16. Hence, surface 16need not be parallel to surfaces 22. Moreover, the reflecting surfacesmight be oriented such that the light will be coupled out from thesubstrate in the opposite direction to that of the input waves. For theconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 4A, however, part of the input lightis not reflected by surface 16, but continues in an original directionof the input light 38 and is immediately coupled-out from the substrateas output light 41. Hence, to ensure that all the rays originating fromthe same plane wave will have the same output direction, not only shouldall the reflecting surfaces 22 be parallel to each other, but surface 16should be parallel to surfaces 22 as well.

Refer again to FIG. 4A there is shown a system having two reflectivesurfaces for coupling the light out of the substrate, however, anynumber of reflective surfaces can be used according to the requiredoutput aperture of the optical system and the thickness of thesubstrate. Naturally, there are cases where only one coupling-outsurface is required. In that case, the output aperture will essentiallybe twice the size of the input aperture of the system. The only requiredreflecting surfaces for the last configuration are simple beam-splittersand mirrors.

In the apparatus described in the current figure, the light from thedisplay source is coupled into the substrate at the end of thesubstrate, however, there are systems where having a symmetric system ispreferred. That is, the input light should be coupled into the substrateat the central part of the substrate.

FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating detailed sectional views of atransverse pupil expansion one-dimensional (1D) lightguide having asymmetrical structure. The current figure illustrates a method tocombine two identical substrates, to produce a symmetric optical module.As can be seen, part of the light from the display source 4 passesdirectly through the partially reflecting surfaces out of the substrate.The other parts of the light are coupled into the right side of thesubstrate 20R and into the left side of the substrate 20L, by thepartially reflecting surfaces 16R and 16L, respectively. The trappedlight is then gradually coupled out by the reflecting surfaces 22R and22L, respectively. Apparently, the output aperture is three times thesize of the input aperture of the system, the same magnification asdescribed in FIG. 5B. However, unlike the system there, the system hereis symmetric about the cemented surface 29 of the right and leftsubstrates.

Referring now to FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, there is shown exemplaryimplementations of FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C on top of a lightguide. Theconfigurations of FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C expand the incoming imagelaterally. The apparatus of FIG. 4B can be used to implement the firstLOE 20 a of FIG. 5A, the apparatus of FIG. 4C can be used to implementthe first LOE 20 a′ of FIG. 5B, and the apparatus of FIG. 2 can be usedto implement the second LOE 20 b.

FIG. 5A illustrates an alternative method to expand the beam along twoaxes utilizing a double LOE configuration. The input wave 90 is coupledinto the first LOE 20 a, which has an asymmetrical structure similar tothat illustrated in FIG. 4B, by the first reflecting surface 16 a andthen propagates along the η axis. The partially reflecting surfaces 22 acouple the light out of first LOE 20 a and then the light is coupledinto the second asymmetrical LOE 20 b by the reflecting surface 16 b.The light then propagates along the ξ axis and is then coupled out bythe selectively reflecting surfaces 22 b. As shown, the original beam 90is expanded along both axes, where the overall expansion is determinedby the ratio between the lateral dimensions of the elements 16 a and 22b. The configuration given in FIG. 5A is just an example of a double-LOEsetup. Other configurations in which two or more LOEs are combinedtogether to form complicated optical systems are also possible.

Referring now to FIG. 5B, there is shown a diagram illustrating anothermethod to expand a beam along two axes utilizing a double LOEconfiguration. Usually, the area where the light is coupled into thesecond LOE 20 b by the surface 16 b cannot be transparent to theexternal light and is not part of the see-through region. Hence, thefirst LOE 20 a need not be transparent. As a result, it is usuallypossible to design the first LOE 20 a to have a symmetric structure, ascan be seen in the current figure, even for see-through systems. Thesecond LOE 20 b has an asymmetrical structure that enables the user tosee the external scene. In this configuration, part of the input beam 90continues along the original direction 92 into the coupling-in mirror 16b of the second LOE 20 b, while the other part 94 is coupled into thefirst LOE 20 a′ by the reflecting surfaces 16 a, propagates along the ηaxis and is then coupled into the second LOE 20 b by the selectivelyreflecting surfaces 22 a. Both parts are then coupled into the secondasymmetrical LOE 20 b by the reflecting surface 16 b, propagate alongthe axis, and are then coupled out by the selectively reflectingsurfaces 22 b.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of LOEs 20 a/20 a′ and 20 b embedded in astandard eyeglasses frame 107. The display source 4, and the folding andthe collimating optics 6 are assembled inside the arm portions 112 ofthe eyeglasses frame, just next to LOE 20 a/20 a′, which is located atthe edge of the second LOE 20 b. For a case in which the display sourceis an electronic element, such as a small CRT, LCD, or OLED, the drivingelectronics 114 for the display source might be assembled inside theback portion of the arm 112. A power supply and data interface 116 isconnectable to arm 112 by a lead 118 or other communication meansincluding radio or optical transmission. Alternatively, a battery andminiature data link electronics can be integrated in the eyeglassesframe. The current figure is an example, and other possible head-mounteddisplays arrangements can be constructed, including assemblies where thedisplay source is mounted parallel to the LOE plane, or in the upperpart of the LOE.

Additional details of this basic technology can be found in U.S. Pat.No. 7,643,214, and PCT/IL2018/050025 which is unpublished and does notconstitute prior art to the present invention.

SUMMARY

According to the teachings of the present embodiment there is provided aapparatus for optical aperture expansion including: at least onelightguide; a set of three optical components associated with the atleast one lightguide, the set including: a pair of first and secondmatching diffractive optical components; and a reflective opticalcomponent including a sequence of a plurality of partially reflective,mutually parallel surfaces; and the components cooperating for expandingcoupled-in light to coupled-out light, the coupled-in light being lightcoupled into the at least one lightguide, and the expanding beingtwo-dimensional.

In an optional embodiment, a first optical component of the set isconfigured for directing the coupled-in light in a first direction ofexpansion within a first lightguide, thereby generating first expandedlight; a second optical component of the set is configured for couplingthe first expanded light into a second lightguide in a second directionof expansion, thereby generating second expanded light; and a thirdoptical component of the set configured for out-coupling the secondexpanded light in a third direction as the coupled-out light; whereinthe first, second and third directions are non-parallel to each other.

In another optional embodiment further including: a non-diffractiveoptical component configured to direct light into the at least onelightguide as the coupled-in light; wherein the at least one lightguideis one lightguide including: the first diffractive optical componentconfigured for directing the coupled-in light in a first direction ofexpansion within the one lightguide, thereby generating first expandedlight; the second diffractive optical component configured for expandingthe first expanded light in the one lightguide in a second direction ofexpansion, thereby generating second expanded light; and the reflectiveoptical component configured for out-coupling the second expanded lightin a third direction as the coupled-out light; wherein the first, secondand third directions are non-parallel to each other.

In another optional embodiment, further including a pair of third andfourth matching diffractive optical components; and a pair of fifth andsixth matching diffractive optical components.

In another optional embodiment, each of the optical components of thematching pairs has a different diffractive spacing from the opticalcomponents of other matching pairs, the diffractive spacing such thateach of the optical components of the matching pairs deflects adifferent wavelength through similar angles from the optical componentsof other matching pairs.

In another optional embodiment, the wavelengths are of red, green, andblue light.

In another optional embodiment, a first lightguide of the at least onelightguide includes the pair of first and second matching diffractiveoptical components; a second lightguide of the at least one lightguideincludes the pair of third and fourth matching diffractive opticalcomponents; and a third lightguide of the at least one lightguideincludes the pair of fifth and sixth matching diffractive opticalcomponents.

In another optional embodiment, the reflective optical component isconfigured to expand the coupled-in light in a first direction ofexpansion within a first lightguide, thereby generating first expandedlight; the first, third, and fourth diffractive optical components areconfigured for expanding respective wavelengths of the first expandedlight in respective first, second, and third lightguides in a seconddirection of expansion, thereby generating respective second expandedlight; and the second, fourth, and sixth diffractive optical componentsare configured for out-coupling the respective second expanded light ina third direction as the coupled-out light; wherein the first, secondand third directions are non-parallel to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The embodiment is herein described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior art folding optical device.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary light-guide optical element.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the desired reflectance and transmittancecharacteristics of selectively reflecting surfaces, for two ranges ofincident angles.

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration of alight-guide optical element.

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating another configuration of a light-guideoptical element.

FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating detailed sectional views of atransverse pupil expansion one-dimensional lightguide having asymmetrical structure.

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a method to expand a beam along twoaxes utilizing a double LOE configuration.

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating another method to expand a beam alongtwo axes utilizing a double LOE configuration.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of LOEs embedded in a standard eyeglassesframe.

FIG. 7A is a rough sketch of conventional optical aperture expansionusing diffractive components in a waveguide.

FIG. 7B is a diagram of the FIG. 7A diffraction directions of lightpropagating in the angular domain.

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are respective side and front view rough sketches ofa diffractive-reflective-diffractive exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8C is a rough sketch of a reflective-diffract exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8D is a diagram of the FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B diffraction directionsof light propagating in the angular domain.

FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are respective side and front views of a roughsketch of a diffractive-diffractive-reflective exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9C is a diagram of the FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B diffraction directionsof light propagating in the angular domain.

FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are respective side and front view rough sketchesof a diffractive-reflective exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are respective side and front view rough sketchesof a diffractive-diffractive-reflective exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11C is a front view rough sketch of overlappingdiffractive-reflective-diffractive exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B are respective side and front views of a roughsketch of a diffractive-reflective exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12C is a front view of a rough sketch of adiffractive-diffractive-reflective exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B are respective side and front view rough sketchesof a diffractive-diffractive-reflective exemplary embodiment withseparate diffractive lateral expanders.

FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B are respective side and front views of a roughsketch of a diffractive-reflective exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14C is a front view of a rough sketch of adiffractive-diffractive-reflective exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 15A, FIG. 15B, and FIG. 15C are respective side, front, and topviews of a rough sketch of a reflective-diffractive-diffractiveexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 15D is a diagram of the FIG. 15A, FIG. 15B, and FIG. 15Cdiffraction directions of light propagating in the angular domain.

ABBREVIATIONS AND DEFINITIONS

For convenience of reference, this section contains a brief list ofabbreviations, acronyms, and short definitions used in this document.This section should not be considered limiting. Fuller descriptions canbe found below, and in the applicable Standards.

1D—one-dimensional

2D—two-dimensional

CRT—cathode ray tube

EMB—eye-motion-box

FOV—field-of-view

HMD—head-mounted display

HUD—head-up display

LCD—liquid crystal display

LOE—light-guide optical element

OLED—organic light emitting diode array

OPL—optical path length

SLM—spatial light modulator

TIR—total internal reflection

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 8A to 15D

The principles and operation of the apparatus according to a presentembodiment may be better understood with reference to the drawings andthe accompanying description. A present invention is an optical assemblyfor optical aperture expansion. The apparatus combines facet reflectivetechnology (reflective components) with diffractive technology(diffractive components). Innovative embodiments with diffractivecomponents use at least two components having opposite optical power(matching), so that chromatic dispersion introduced by a firstdiffractive component will then be cancelled by a second diffractivecomponent. The two diffractive components are used in combination with areflective optical component to achieve more efficient apertureexpansion (for near eye display), reducing distortions and noise, whilealso reducing design constraints on the system and individualcomponents, as compared to conventional techniques.

Current, conventional optical aperture expansion uses a singletechnology for both expansions (lateral and vertical). Current advancesin the field are to optimize and improve either one of thesetechnologies. The two main technologies that are used are:

1) Reflections by tilted coated facets (for example, U.S. Pat. No.7,457,040 to Lumus, Ltd.). This reflective technology has wide spectrumtherefore can project all visible spectrum from a single lightguide.While the facets typically both partially reflect and transmit thepropagating light rays, for simplicity in this document, this technologyis generally referred to as being implemented by a “reflective opticalcomponent.” The reflection is typically polarization dependent.

2) Diffractive pattern on lightguide face. As is known in the art, adiffractive grating (pattern) can reflect or transmit propagating lightrays, depending on the construction of the grating. For simplicity inthis document, this technology is generally referred to as beingimplemented by a “diffractive optical component.” This diffractivetechnology is limited in both spectrum and angle. However, thistechnology has low polarization dependency.

Using a sequence of reflective and diffractive components, in variousquantities and order (one after the other, and vice-versa) eliminatesand/or reduces the need for polarization management, while enablingwider field of view. In addition, embodiments can have reducednonuniformity, as compared to conventional single technologyimplementations, since the distortion patterns of the two technologiesdo not correlate (are uncorrelated).

In general, an apparatus for optical aperture expansion includes atleast one lightguide and a set of three optical components associatedwith the at least one lightguide. The set of three optical componentsincludes a pair of matching diffractive optical components, and areflective optical component. The reflective optical component includesa sequence of a plurality of at least partially reflective, mutuallyparallel surfaces. The optical components are configured to cooperate toachieve two-dimensional expansion of coupled-out light. In other words,the components cooperate for expanding coupled-in light to coupled-outlight. The coupled-in light is light coupled into the at least onelightguide, and the expanding is two-dimensional.

In the context of this description, the term “matching” with regard todiffractive optical components generally refers to the grating and/orthe spacing of the grating elements being substantially exactly equal sothe optical powers of the diffractive components are equal, and normallyopposite. While the overall physical dimensions of the components may bedifferent, the similar gratings result in matching optical powers of thecomponents.

In the context of this description, the term “component” is used for theoptical elements, in particular the reflective and diffractive opticalelements. Design and production techniques for reflective anddiffractive optical components are known in the art. Based on thecurrent description, components can be implemented as required invarious shapes and sizes of reflective and diffractive opticalcomponents, with various operating parameters, including wavelength,power, and angle.

Diffractive optical components, also referred to in the context of thisdescription as “diffractive gratings” and “diffractive patterns”, can beembedded within a lightguide, or constructed or mounted on a surface(face) of a lightguide. For example, a diffractive optical component canbe implemented as a diffraction grating or holographic elements.Diffractive components are available such as from Horiba Scientific(Kyoto, Japan) and reflective components are available such as OE50 byLumus (Ness Ziona, Israel).

Referring now to FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, there is shown respective side andfront view rough sketches of a diffractive-reflective-diffractiveexemplary embodiment. A combination of different optical componentsexpands light along a different axis. Optical lightguide 10 is atwo-dimensional (2D) lightguide having a direction of elongationillustrated arbitrarily herein as corresponding to the “x-axis”.Lightguide 10 is referred to as a 2D waveguide in the sense thatlightguide 10 guides the injected image in two dimensions by reflectionbetween two sets of parallel faces, as shown in FIG. 8A by the fourarrows inside lightguide 10. A sequence of a plurality of internalpartially reflecting surfaces 40 at least partially traverse lightguide10 at an oblique angle (i.e., neither parallel nor perpendicular) to thedirection of elongation.

Incoming light 38 is coupled into lightguide 10 by a diffractivecomponent 5. The coupled-in light enters lightguide 10 that acts as afirst lateral lightguide expander in a first direction. The expandedlight 38C from lightguide 10 is coupled into lightguide 2000. Opticallightguide 2000 guides light primarily along the “y-axis”. The expandedlight 38C continues to reflect within lightguide 2000 expanding in asecond direction of expansion (y-axis) as shown by arrows in the sideview of FIG. 8A. The light in lightguide 2000 is referred to in thecontext of this document as second expanded light 38D. As the secondexpanded light 38D encounters the diffractive pattern 25, the secondexpanded light is coupled-out 38B of the lightguide 2000 onto theobserver 47. A feature of the current embodiment is that the diffractivecomponents can be non-parallel to each other.

In general, a set of three optical components includes a first opticalcomponent (diffractive component 5) configured for directing thecoupled-in light 38 in a first direction of expansion (x-axis) within afirst lightguide (lightguide 10), thereby generating first expandedlight 38C. A second optical component (sequence of partially reflectingsurfaces 40) of the set is configured for coupling the first expandedlight 38C into a second lightguide 2000 in a second direction ofexpansion (y-axis), thereby generating second expanded light 38D. Athird optical component (diffractive component 25) of the set isconfigured for out-coupling the second expanded light 38D in a thirddirection as the coupled-out light 38B.

In the context of this description, the term “direction” generallyrefers to an average direction of propagation within a lightguide,typically along the optical axis (normally the length) of thelightguide. In other words, the course or general way in which lighttrapped in a lightguide slab by total internal reflection (TIR) advancesalong the lightguide slab, that is, a course of expansion in the planeof the lightguide slab, the in-plane component of the propagating lightrays in the substrate of the lightguide.

The first, second and third directions are non-parallel to each other.

Referring now to FIG. 8D, there is shown a diagram of the FIG. 8A andFIG. 8B diffraction directions of light propagating in the angulardomain (angular space). Dashed arrows and solid arrows show twodifferent exemplary wavelengths. The direction area 1005 is theincidence angle as described in reference to FIG. 7B. Area 1007represents the direction of the light rays (or simply “ray”) afterlateral expansion and reflection by the sequence of partially reflectingsurfaces 40. The partially reflecting surfaces 40 divert the directionof the ray to area 1011. However, this reflection from area 1007 to area1011 does not introduce extra dispersion, only mirroring the directionof propagation around the mirror direction (shown as dot-dash line1008). The mirror direction 1008 is determined by the slope of thepartially reflecting surfaces 40. The last diffractive element 25diffracts the ray to area 1013. As the ray is diffracted in acompensatory fashion to diffractive component 5, then the outputdirection 1013 will have no dispersion but need not overlap 1005. Inthis embodiment, dispersion has been eliminated, but the output angle ofthe coupled-out light 38B does not have to match the input angle of thecoupled-in light 38.

Referring now to FIG. 8C, there is shown a rough sketch of areflective-diffract exemplary embodiment. The current figure is similarto FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, except incoming light 38 is coupled intolightguide 10 by a slanted prism 7 (in place of diffractive component5). As the current embodiment includes only one diffractive element(diffractive element 25), chromatic dispersion will be significant, ascompared to the embodiment of FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B that includes twomatching diffractive elements (5 and 25). The chromatic dispersion(aberration) can be reduced by using a narrowband light source.

Referring now to FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, there is shown respective side andfront views of a rough sketch of a diffractive-diffractive-reflectiveexemplary embodiment. Lightguide 2010 is a 2D lightguide. In the currentembodiment, a first optical component of the set is implemented bydiffractive component 5A which is configured for directing thecoupled-in light 38 in a first direction of expansion (x-axis) withinlightguide 2010, thereby generating first expanded light 38C. A secondoptical component of the set is implemented by diffractive component 370that is configured for coupling the first expanded light 38C intolightguide 20 in a second direction of expansion (y-axis), therebygenerating second expanded light 38D. A third optical component of theset is implemented by a sequence of a plurality of partially reflectingsurfaces (facets) 45, preferably at least partially traversinglightguide 20 at an oblique angle to the faces of lightguide 20, that isconfigured for out coupling the second expanded light 38D in a thirddirection as the coupled-out light 38B.

Referring now to FIG. 9C, there is shown a diagram of the FIG. 9A andFIG. 9B diffraction directions of light propagating in the angulardomain (angular space). The angular vectors are also shown, 1005 is theentrance direction, and after the first element 5A the direction is1007. The diffraction element 370 has the opposite optical powertherefore light will couple from lightguide 2010 into lightguide 20having the same direction and no chromatic dispersion (overlapping1005). The facets 45 reflect the light without dispersion the preferreddirection 1013 with no chromatic dispersion. Some chromatic dispersionmay be introduced by the reflective component, and residual diffractioncan compensate for this.

Referring now to FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, there is shown respective sideand front view rough sketches of a diffractive-reflective exemplaryembodiment. Lightguide 2011 is a 2D lightguide. The lateral expansion ismade by the diffractive component while the vertical expansion is by thereflective facets. The method of coupling into lightguide 2011 is notdepicted. The light propagates within the lightguide 2011, impinges onthe diffractive surface (component) 35, and is diffracted towardlightguide 20. The diffractive component 35 can be at any surface oflightguide 2011 (in the current figure, depicted on top). As the lightpropagates within lightguide 20, the light is coupled-out 38B toward theeye 47 by facets 45. This configuration does not need polarizationmanagement between lightguide 2011 and lightguide 20. The injectedpolarization of the light can be oriented to match that required forfacets 45.

Referring now to FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, there is shown respective sideand front view rough sketches of a diffractive-diffractive-reflectiveexemplary embodiment. A non-diffractive optical component 501 isconfigured to direct light into lightguide 2002 as coupled-in light,shown as light 38. In the current embodiment, a single lightguide 2002is used, and two diffractive components have been implemented as partsof lightguide 2002. A first diffractive optical component 502 isconfigured for directing the coupled-in light 38 in a first direction ofexpansion (x-axis) within the one lightguide 2002, thereby generatingfirst expanded light 38C. The second diffractive optical component 50 isconfigured for expanding the first expanded light 38C in the onelightguide 2002 in a second direction of expansion (y-axis), therebygenerating second expanded light 38D. The reflective optical component(sequence of a plurality of facets 45) is configured for out-couplingthe second expanded light 38D in a third direction as the coupled-outlight 38B. As in the above embodiments, the first, second and thirddirections are non-parallel to each other.

A feature of this embodiment is the use of a single, one-dimensionallightguide. The coupling into the lightguide is by non-diffractivecomponent 501 and the light is diverted by strong diffracting pattern502. The light is guided in one dimension, and therefore expands inanother dimension while propagating from left to right along diffractivecomponent 50. As the light encounters diffractive pattern 50, the lightis also diverted downward. While propagating downward, the light isreflected toward the observer 47 by reflective facets 45 (depicted inthe side view FIG. 11A). This configuration includes a singlelightguide, does not require polarization management (the polarizationof the light injected into the lightguide can be suitable for thereflective facets 45). The combination of diffracting pattern 502 anddiffracting pattern 50 has no resulting chromatic dispersion.

Referring now to FIG. 11C, there is shown a front view rough sketch ofoverlapping diffractive-reflective-diffractive exemplary embodiment.Because of the differing technology, the diffractive and reflectiveelements can be positioned in overlapping relation on the samelightguide. In the current figure, diffraction grating component 1110expands coupled-in light 38 in a first direction to produce firstexpanded light 38C. Lateral aperture expansion is implemented byoverlapping diagonal facets 1114 that couple the light back and forthlaterally, expanding the light in a second direction 38D, withoutintroducing chromatic aberration. Diffractive pattern 1112 is used forcoupling the light out of the waveguide.

Referring now to FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B, there is shown respective sideand front views of a rough sketch of a diffractive-reflective exemplaryembodiment. Transverse expansion is based on a one-dimensionallightguide 2012 (for example, see U.S. Pat. No. 7,643,214 to LumusLtd.). In FIG. 12B, the coupling into the lightguide 2012 is performedby a highly reflecting (partially reflecting and reflecting a majorityof the energy) internal facet 65, that reflects the majority of thecoupled-in light 38 to the right and left sides of the lightguide 2012,while a portion of the coupled-in light 38 passes through the internalfacet 65 into the lightguide 20. As the current embodiment includes onlyone diffractive element, chromatic dispersion will be significant, ascompared to the below embodiment of FIG. 12C. The chromatic dispersion(aberration) can be reduced by using a narrowband light source.

Referring now to FIG. 12C, there is shown a front view of a rough sketchof a diffractive-diffractive-reflective exemplary embodiment. In thisembodiment, the coupling into lightguide 2013 is performed by adiffractive component 66, having high efficiency, that reflects themajority of the coupled-in light 38 to the right and left sides of thelightguide 2013, while a portion of the coupled-in light 38 passesthrough the diffractive component 66 into the lightguide 20.

Similar to the description of FIG. 9B, first expanded light 38C isdiffracted in FIG. 12B by diffraction components 67 and in FIG. 12C bydiffractive components 68, to generate second expanded light 38D inlightguide 20.

As can be seen from the exemplary embodiments, the diffractivecomponents can generally be located on any side of the lightguides. Asin previous embodiments, by injecting the proper polarization, there isno need for further management along the apparatus.

Different wavelengths of light are deflected by diffractive patterns indifferent directions. This phenomenon can be used, for example by neareye displays, by implementing a separate lightguide for everywavelength. A typical embodiment is three lightguides, one each for thewavelengths corresponding to red (R), green (G), and blue (B) coloredlight. Separate diffractive lateral aperture expanders (one for eachcolor) are combined to a single vertical reflective aperture expander.

Referring now to FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B, there is shown respective sideand front view rough sketches of a diffractive-diffractive-reflectiveexemplary embodiment with separate diffractive lateral expanders. Thecurrent embodiment is based on the above-described embodiment withregard to FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B. FIG. 9B lightguide 2010 is replaced witha set of lightguides 103, 102, and 101. Each lightguide of the set has afirst diffractive component (respectively 133R, 133G, 133B) configuredfor a specific wavelength, in this example red, green, and blue. Eachlightguide of the set has a second diffractive component (respectively134R, 134G, 134B) matching the first diffractive component. Thecoupled-in light 38 is injected through the first diffractivecomponents. Each of these first diffractive components is wavelengthspecific, diffracting the specific associated wavelength of light, andpassing other wavelengths of light. Wavelength specific diffraction intoeach lightguide may be improved by adding a set of dichroic reflectors(respectively 133R1, 133G1, 133B1) after each first diffractivecomponent (133R, 133G, 133B). The dichroic reflectors can be based oncoating or diffractive reflectors, so different wavelengths are coupledto the different respective lightguides (103, 102, and 101). The lightwavelength diffracted by the first diffractive components (133R, 133G,133B) expands and propagates laterally in the respective lightguides(103, 102, and 101) as respective first expanded light (38CR, 38CG,38CB). Each lightguide (103, 102, 101) has a respective seconddiffractive component (134R, 134G, 134B) that diffracts the respectivefirst expanded light ((38CR, 38CG, 38CB) toward lightguide 20. Lightfrom the upper lightguides pass through the lower lightguides withminimal distortion because the second diffractive components (134G,134B) are wavelength selective or have low diffraction efficiency forother wavelengths. In lightguide 20, the sequence of a plurality ofpartially reflecting surfaces 45 reflects all wavelengths toward the eye47.

An alternative description of the current embodiment is that the pair offirst 133R and second 134R matching diffractive optical components areaugmented with 1) a pair of third 133G and fourth 134G matchingdiffractive optical components, and 2) a pair of fifth 133B and sixth134B matching diffractive optical components. Each of the opticalcomponents of the matching pairs has a different diffractive spacingfrom the optical components of other matching pairs. The diffractivespacing is such that each of the optical components of the matchingpairs deflects a different wavelength through similar angles from theoptical components of other matching pairs. A first lightguide 103includes the pair of first 133R and second 134R matching diffractiveoptical components. A second lightguide 102 includes the pair of third133G and fourth 134G matching diffractive optical components. A thirdlightguide 101 includes the pair of fifth 133B and sixth 134B matchingdiffractive optical components.

In the current configuration, one lightguide can be in front of the eye47, and optionally have no polarization management between thelightguides (103, 102, 101, and 20). In this configuration, thelightguides can be placed directly on top of each other (typically, anair gap is used between the lightguides in order to maintain TIR).

Referring now to FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B, there is shown respective sideand front views of a rough sketch of a diffractive-reflective exemplaryembodiment. The current embodiment is similar to the operation describedin reference to FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B, with lightguide 2012replaced/augmented (replaced with three lightguides 160R, 160G, and160B). The coupling-in of light 38 to each lightguide (160R, 160G, 160B)is by respective highly reflecting internal facets/central splittingmirrors (165R, 165G, 165B). Lateral (transverse) expansion isdiffractive in each lightguide (160R, 160G, 160B), and then the firstexpanded light 38C is diffracted/diverted into lightguide 20 forout-coupling to the user's eye 47.

Referring now to FIG. 14C, there is shown a front view of a rough sketchof a diffractive-diffractive-reflective exemplary embodiment. Thecurrent embodiment is similar to the operation described in reference toFIG. 12C, with diffractive component 66 replaced/augmented by a set ofdiffractive components (133R, 133G, 133B) and associated dichroicreflectors (respectively 133R1, 133G1, 133B1) after each firstdiffractive component (133R, 133G, 133B) in the center of eachrespective lightguide (159R, 159G, 159B). Matching diffractive elements(134R, 134G, 134B) are replaced with multiple diffractive elements(134R1, 134R2, 134G1, 134G2, 134B1, 134B2) on either side of the centraldiffractive components (133R, 133G, 133B).

Referring now to FIG. 15A, FIG. 15B, and FIG. 15C, there is shownrespective side, front, and top views of a rough sketch of areflective-diffractive-diffractive exemplary embodiment. In the currentembodiment, the reflective aperture expander precedes the diffractiveexpander. Four lightguides are used: reflective component 201, and threediffractive components (205, 206, and 207). The reflective component 201is a reflective lateral expanding lightguide. This reflective lightguide201 can be a 1D lightguide (similar to lightguide 20 in FIG. 4A) or a 2Dlight guide (similar to lightguide 10 in FIG. 8C). The light couplinginto the reflective lightguide 201 includes all wavelengths of thecoupled-in light 38, and therefore the reflective lightguide 201 caninclude a reflector (such as reflecting surface 16 in FIG. 4A, or aprism (such as slanted prism 7 in FIG. 8C).

Facets 203 (depicted in top view FIG. 15C) divert the guided lightforward and out of lightguide 201 into lightguides 205, 206 and 207.Each of lightguides 205, 206 and 207 have respective coupling-ingratings (209R, 209G, 209B). These coupling-in gratings (209R, 209G,209B) have a different period in every lightguide, therefore differentwavelength will be coupled by each coupling-in grating to eachassociated lightguide.

The light propagates within the lightguides (205, 206, 207) and iscoupled-out 38B toward the observer 47 by respective gratings (25R, 25G,25B) designed according to wavelength within each lightguide, andmatched to respective coupling-in gratings (209R, 209G, 209B).

In general, the reflective optical component (facets 203) is configuredto expand the coupled-in light 38 in a first direction of expansionwithin a first lightguide 201, thereby generating first expanded light38C. The first 209R, third 209G, and fourth 209B diffractive opticalcomponents are configured for coupling respective wavelengths of thefirst expanded light in respective first 205, second 206, and third 207lightguides. The second 25R, fourth 25G, and sixth 25B diffractiveoptical components are configured for expanding and out-coupling therespective light in a third direction as the coupled-out light 38B.

Referring now to FIG. 15D, there is shown a diagram of the FIG. 15A,FIG. 15B, and FIG. 15C diffraction directions of light propagating inthe angular domain (angular space). The angular direction front view ofa single lightguide shown in FIG. 15A-C is shown in FIG. 15D. The lightis coupled in as 1005 direction and the reflecting mirrors 203 divertthe rays to direction 1007 without dispersion. The diffractivecoupling-in component (one of 209R, 209G, 209B) divert the rays downwardwith dispersion while diffractive component (one of gratings 25R, 25G,25B) has the opposite optical power, therefore coupling the light out(direction overlapping 1007) with no dispersion.

This configuration has strong anti-dispersion characteristics, andtherefore can be used by a reduced number of components to transmit morethan one color channel (R, G, B) and at narrow field (angular spectrum).For example, the three lightguides (205, 206, 207) can be implemented asa single lightguide, or combinations of two color channels can beimplemented in a single lightguide (such as the sets of {red and green,blue} or {red, green and blue}).

Note that the above-described examples, numbers used, and exemplarycalculations are to assist in the description of this embodiment.Inadvertent typographical errors, mathematical errors, and/or the use ofsimplified calculations do not detract from the utility and basicadvantages of the invention.

To the extent that the appended claims have been drafted withoutmultiple dependencies, this has been done only to accommodate formalrequirements in jurisdictions that do not allow such multipledependencies. Note that all possible combinations of features that wouldbe implied by rendering the claims multiply dependent are explicitlyenvisaged and should be considered part of the invention.

It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only toserve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible withinthe scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for optical aperture expansioncomprising: (a) at least one lightguide, said lightguide including afirst pair of external surfaces parallel to each other for guiding lightby internal reflection; (b) a set of three optical components associatedwith said at least one lightguide, said set including: (i) a pair offirst and second matching diffractive optical components; and (ii) areflective optical component including a set of facets, said set offacets: (A) including a plurality of partially reflecting facetsparallel to each other, (B) between said first pair of externalsurfaces, and (C) non-parallel relative to said first pair of externalsurfaces; and (c) said components cooperating for expanding coupled-inlight to coupled-out light, (i) said coupled-in light being lightcoupled into said at least one lightguide, and (ii) said expanding beingtwo-dimensional.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein (a) a first opticalcomponent of said set is configured for directing said coupled-in lightin a first direction of expansion within a first lightguide, therebygenerating first expanded light; (b) a second optical component of saidset is configured for coupling said first expanded light into a secondlightguide in a second direction of expansion, thereby generating secondexpanded light; and (c) a third optical component of said set configuredfor out-coupling said second expanded light in a third direction as saidcoupled-out light; (d) wherein said first, second and third directionsare non-parallel to each other.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 furtherincluding: (a) a non-diffractive optical component configured to directlight into said at least one lightguide as said coupled-in light; (b)wherein said at least one lightguide is one lightguide including: (i)said first diffractive optical component configured for directing saidcoupled-in light in a first direction of expansion within said onelightguide, thereby generating first expanded light; (ii) said seconddiffractive optical component configured for expanding said firstexpanded light in said one lightguide in a second direction ofexpansion, thereby generating second expanded light; and (iii) saidreflective optical component configured for out-coupling said secondexpanded light in a third direction as said coupled-out light; (iv)wherein said first, second and third directions are non-parallel to eachother.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 further including: (i) a pair ofthird and fourth matching diffractive optical components; and (ii) apair of fifth and sixth matching diffractive optical components.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4 wherein each of said optical components of saidmatching pairs has a different diffractive spacing from said opticalcomponents of other matching pairs, said diffractive spacing such thateach of said optical components of said matching pairs deflects adifferent wavelength through similar angles from said optical componentsof other matching pairs.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein saidwavelengths are of red, green, and blue light.
 7. The apparatus of claim5 wherein: (a) a first lightguide of said at least one lightguideincludes said pair of first and second matching diffractive opticalcomponents; (b) a second lightguide of said at least one lightguideincludes said pair of third and fourth matching diffractive opticalcomponents; and (c) a third lightguide of said at least one lightguideincludes said pair of fifth and sixth matching diffractive opticalcomponents.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein: (a) said reflectiveoptical component is configured to expand said coupled-in light in afirst direction of expansion within a first lightguide, therebygenerating first expanded light; (b) said first, third, and fourthdiffractive optical components are configured for expanding respectivewavelengths of said first expanded light in respective first, second,and third lightguides in a second direction of expansion, therebygenerating respective second expanded light; and (c) said second,fourth, and sixth diffractive optical components are configured forout-coupling said respective second expanded light in a third directionas said coupled-out light; (d) wherein said first, second and thirddirections are non-parallel to each other.